Cai Shi shook her head. “Your Third Sister’s temper isn’t very good. It’s better to not take her along so she doesn’t cause trouble that might implicate you.”
Even though she said it like that, the thing Cai Shi was really worried about was her younger daughter’s overly beautiful face. If both of her daughters went together, would anyone even notice Song Qinghan?
Speaking of which, Cai Shi herself was dignified and elegant, and her husband was a refined gentleman. She didn’t know how she ended up giving birth to a daughter like Song Yunzhao, who had such a seductive face, that it was annoying to look at.
Concubine Che had been fighting with her for years, taking advantage of her foxy face. Cai Shi was thoroughly fed up with it.
Song Qinghan listened to her mother and did not insist. She thought it would be better to go first and check out the situation at the Chu mansion.
The next morning, as expected, Cai Shi took Song Qinghan out.
Very quickly Song Jinxuan brought the news to Song Yunzhao.
“Third Sister, I’m a concubine’s daughter. It’s nothing if Mother doesn’t take me, but you are her own daughter. How can you be left out from visiting your aunt`s home?” Song Jinxuan was angry.
When it comes to participating in the palace selection, who wouldn’t dream of skyrocketing to success? If she was chosen, her mother could live comfortably in the residence, and her brother’s future would be more secure. But clearly, her Father`s main wife wouldn’t give her this opportunity.
If Qinghan was truly selected, Yunzhao wouldnt benefit at all. In fact, this Eldest Sister of hers, might even help the Main Wife suppress her.
Song Yunzhao looked at Song Jinxuan and said, “I originally didnt want to participate in the selection. It’s of no use to sow discord here.
Song Jinxuan was momentarily embarrassed by Yunzhao’s bluntness, but quickly regained her composure. “Third Sister, I know I offended you a few years ago. But didn’t you already get your revenge on me and my mother back then? These past few years, I haven’t wronged you again. Aren’t we even now?”
Yunzhao realised Jinxuan’s intention—to use her to compete with Song Qinghan
It wasn’t a bad idea. After all, Qinghan still sees her as a stepping stone.
“Second Sister, what’s the point of telling me all this? I can’t decide to visit Aunt’s home on my own, nor can I speak well of you in front of Mother. You always fail to understand the importance of such matters. You need to use your brain when you do things.”
Being called brainless, Song Jinxuan’s face twisted in anger. She took a deep breath and said through gritted teeth, “Do you think I don’t want to? But Father is still far away in Nanyu, and Mother is kept by Cai Shi’s side. What can I do?”
“Father has nearly completed his duties in Nanyu. He’s only staying for some social interactions. If there’s an urgent matter at home, he’ll definietly rush back here,” Song Yunzhao said, making her point clear.
Song Jinxuan’s eyes narrowed as she glanced at Yunzhao, who was engrossed in her book, clearly uninterested in talking to her. Unable to stay, Jinxuan stood up to leave, thinking of going to Concubine Che instead.
When Concubine Che saw her daughter, she quickly pulled her inside and whispered, “Second Miss, why are you here? If Madam finds out, you’ll be in trouble again. With the Master not in the capital, we must be cautious.”
“Mother, I have something important to discuss with you,” Song Jinxuan suppressed her excitement, fearing that any delay would lead to the Main Mother targeting them. She quickly got to the point, “Mother, you should write a letter to Father and ask him to come to the capital as soon as possible.”
Concubine Che was shocked, “What nonsense are you talking about? How could I write such a letter to the Master?”
Although she said this, Concubine Che was already tempted. Following the Mistress to the capital and living in such uncomfortable quarters was something she found hard to endure. But for the sake of her children, she had to endure it.
“Mother, staying in the capital won’t protect my brother and me. On the contrary, the Mistress humiliates us every time we go to pay our respects, making you stand aside to enforce the rules. This is her way of slapping your face and making you suffer.”
“Being a concubine means enduring such things,” Concubine Che hurriedly tried to comfort her daughter. She didn’t want to live like this, but with her daughter and son of marriageable age, and the Mistress controlling the important matters of marriage, what could she do?
After all, it was just her face being slapped.
She could bear it.
When her son marries and her daughter finds a good husband, what will she have to fear?
“Mother, this morning Madam took Eldest Sister to the Dingnan Count Residence. She has no intention of letting me show my face for the selection. I cannot accept this, so you need to find a way to get Father to come quickly. Only with him here will life be better for me and my brother.”
Concubine Che fell silent, realising her daughter was right.
“But even if I write a letter, how will we send it to your Father? If Madam finds out, it will be disastrous,” Concubine Che said, frowning.
“Have Brother find an outside courier to deliver the letter. It will just cost a bit more,” Song Jinxuan whispered. “You write the letter, and I’ll find Brother.”
For the sake of her children’s future, Concubine Che gritted her teeth and agreed, “Alright, I’ll write it now. Wait for me a moment.”
Once the letter was written, Song Jinxuan hid it in her sleeve pocket, trying not to reveal any signs of her plan, fearing suspicion. She didn’t immediately go to her Brother, but waited until everyone was napping before heading to the side gate.
Meanwhile, over at Song Yunzhao’s place, Luo Momo was reporting: “Miss, you were right. Second Miss indeed went to see Concubine Che and then went to find Second Young Master. The gatekeeper woman personally told me that the Second Young Lady brought the Young Master a bowl of pear soup.”
Song Yunzhao knew Jinxuan was bold, but she didn’t expect her to be so efficient.
“Have you taken care of the gatekeeper woman?”
“Miss, rest assured. It’s just that the Second Miss sent some worthless pear soup to her brother; it’s not worth mentioning to the Madam.”
Song Yunzhao calculated that in about five or six days, the ministers would petition the Emperor to invite more ladies to the selection. If things moved quickly, Concubine Che’s letter would have already reached her Father. If Concubine Che was competent, her Father might come to the capital immediately.
As long as he arrived, neither Song Jinxuan nor Song Boming would be too passive. With Concubine Che regaining her status, she could use Song Jinxuan to trip up Song Qinghan.
That was the way it should be—everyone in their place, maintaining balance.
However, what Song Yunzhao did not anticipate was that Cai Shi found out about the matter that same evening. Whether she investigated the message delivery or not, Concubine Che was found at fault for something and was punished to kneel for an hour.
Despite Concubine Che’s punishment, neither Song Jinxuan nor Song Boming pleaded for her. The gatekeeper woman at the second gate was also punished for negligence.
Negligence of what?
Naturally, it was for allowing Song Jinxuan and Song Boming to meet privately.
The next morning, when they met, Song Yunzhao noticed that Song Jinxuan’s eyes were slightly swollen, likely from crying, though it wasn’t obvious unless one looked closely.
Song Yunzhao also noticed that Song Qinghan looked displeased, seemingly because she didn’t get to stay at the Dingnan Residence as she had hoped.
In a foul mood, Song Qinghan looked at Yunzhao’s smiling eyes with dislike and said, “Third Sister, what has made you so happy? Share it with everyone so we can all have a laugh.”
“Big Sister, you seem to be troubled by something. Why don’t you share it with us so we can help lighten your mood?” Yunzhao retorted.
After all, who doesn’t have a mouth to speak up?
TL`s note: Yunzhao is so quirky in this chapter haha
